Adjustable screen for threshing-machines



R. G. STEELE.

ADJUSTABLE SCREEN FOR THRESHING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED JAN.20,1919.

1,348,668, Patented Aug 3, 1920.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADJUSTABLE SCREEN FOR THRESI-IING-MACI-IINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

Application filed January 20, 1919. -Seria1 No. 272,168.

and more particularly to the class of ad ustable screens for use in threshing machines, grain separators or the like. I

The primary object of the invention is, the provision of a screen ofthis character wherein, the chaff and straw will be separated from the grain by the current of air from the fan in the separator or threshing machine, and such chaff and straw will not bank or lay on the screen, nor will the grain be blown with the chaff or straw dur ing the operation of cleaning the grain.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a screen of this character, wherein the construction thereof is novel in form so that the same can be readily adjusted to suit the use thereof when separating different kinds of grain such as wheat, oats, flax, rye, barley or any other grains or seeds and without the loss thereof, or the carrying thereof with the straw or chaff, during the separating process in the thrcsher or separator.

A further object of the invention is, the provision of an adjustable screen of this character which is simple in construction, readily and easily adjusted, durable, strong and reliable in its purpose and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and 'rangement of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a thresher showing the screen constructed in accordance with the invention, thereln.

Fig. 2 1s a fragmentary top plan view of the screen.

. 3 is a bottom plan view. I 1 is a vertical long1tud1nal sectional Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. i

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 66 of Fig. 2.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several iews in the drawing:

Referring to the drawing in detail, A, desi nates generally the fan of a grain separator or thresher, and-B, the sieve or screen through which the blast of air from the fan is directed for the cleaning of the grain to separate the chaff and straw therefrom in the operation of the thresher or separator, the screen being of the adjustable type hereinafter fully described.

The screen or sieve B, comprises a supporting frame plate 10 which has fixed to its underside intermediate and outer longitudinal guide strips 11 and slidably fitted in the open center of the frame plate 10 is the adjustable screen section, which includes a frame 12 supported upon the strips 11 and formed with spaced parallel transversely disposed perforated webs 130,011- stituting screening bars for the movable f ame 12, which is adjusted in a manner presently described.

Superimposed upon the supporting frame plate 10* is the stationary screening frame section 14: which is also formed with transversely disposed perforated webs 15, constituting stationary screening bars to co operate with the webs or bars 13 of the movable screening frame.

These webs have one edge bent upwardly to form grain retarding lips 16, which rise above the section lat, and constitute guards for the grain when subjected to the blast from the fan A, for the cleaning of the grain by separating the chaff therefrom, so

as to avoid the carrying of the grain with the traveling chaff with resulting loss of the grain. A lip or guard 16 is also bent obliquely up from the frame to prevent escape in the opposite direction.

The webs or perforated bars 13 and 15 in their spaced relation, form openings 17 therebetween and the webs 13 on adjustment of the frame 12 will register with the openings 17 between the webs 15 in the section 14, yet the perforations in the webs 13 and 15 will not close the screen to shut off the .blastfrom the fan A, and thus, the screen will be clean of chafl' and straw when the said screen is adjusted for the cleaning'of the different kinds of grain or seeds.

Secured on the stationary section 14, lon- Y gitudinally thereof are intermediate and outer upstanding reinforcing ribs 1-8which' strengthen the screen and hold its lips rigid.

Fastened to the section 12 at its under side and depending through the frame 10 are brackets 19 inwhich is mounted afconnect ing rod 20 for loosely connecting to said section, links 21, which are loosely connected to the-cranks 22 of a rocking adjusting shaft 23, journaled in bearings 24: on the supporting frame plate 10 near one end thereof and at its under side.

1 formed with an operating lever 25 with which is connected a fastening device 26 mounted in a segment 27 on and rislng from the supporting f 'ame plate 10, the fastener 26 being engaged for adjustment in ajslot 28 in saidsegment 27 so that the lever 25 can be locked in its adjusted position. 011 working the lever the shdablejscreen 12 can'be adjusted relative tothe stationary screen 14: for the use of the screen for the cleaning of 'grain according to the nature of that particular character of grain or seeds, to be'cleaned.v I a From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and manner of use of adjustablefscreeIrwill be clearly understood and therefore a more extensive explanation has beenomitted' r What is claimed is: 7 1. The herein described screen comprising a supporting frame, a fixed screen'sec- The shaft 23 is ing frame for altering the position of said adjustable section to. set its webs more or less across the spaces between the webs of the fixedsection.

2. The herein described screen comprising a. supporting frame, a fixed screen section including a frame rigidly carried by and above said supporting frame and having spaced transverse webs provided with perforations, an adjustable screen section including, a frame slidably mounted 7 between said supporting and fixed frames andhaving transverse webs spaced to correspond 'with the spacing of those in the fixed frame and also provided with perforations,;and means for adjusting the position 'ofthis section to set its webs across the spaces in the fixed section or underlying the webs thereof so that the perforations in the respective webs register, or at points between.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT-G, STEELE.

Vitnesses:

, GLADYs DUNBAR,

' C. SYME. 

